Firefighter deaths factor into Prescott mayoral race

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Prescott voters are choosing whether to re-elect a mayor who has helped lead the city in mourning the loss of 19 firefighters but also been criticized for his response to providing full benefits for each of the men’s families.

Marlin Kuykendall has set aside campaigning since the deaths on June 30 and focused on the memorial for the Granite Mountain Hotshots, their funerals and fundraisers for their families.

He faces former city Councilwoman Lindsay Bell in the vote-by-mail primary. That race will be decided Tuesday, while the full makeup of the council won’t be known until November’s general election.

Residents look to the council to protect jobs, secure water and purchase open space. Some are factoring in the city’s handling of the firefighters’ deaths into their vote.